Games Time

Schenectady

The appliance experts at Marcella’s Appliance Center are here for you, featuring the area’s best and largest selection of in-stock appliances from your favorite brands, including customizable appliances from Cafe.

Get started on the kitchen of your dreams today. Shop in-store, by phone or online at www.marcellasappliance.com

SCHENECTADY SHOWROOM 560 Broadway | Schenectady, NY 12305 | 518-381-1957

CLIFTON PARK SHOWROOM Shoppers World, 15 Park Avenue | Clifton Park, NY 12065 | 518-952-7700

It’s time appliances had a personality. Yours.

THE COVER: The FISU World University Games are coming to Lake Placid January 12-22, marking the first time the global event will be held in the US in 30 years. Photo courtesy FISU.

Winter is a fact of life here in the Capital Region, so rather than complain about it, we at CRL have chosen to celebrate it! This year that’s especially easy to do, given the fact that, later this month, the great upstate will play host to the World University Games, the largest winter multi-sport collegiate athletic event in the world. Just a short drive up the Northway, world-class athletes will be taking to the ice on Lake Placid’s Herb Brooks Arena and soaring through the air at the even-closer-to-home Gore Mountain. Turn to page 14 to read more about the 2023 Games, which are being hosted in the US for the first time in 30 years.

And there’s more wintertime fun where that came from. Check out our stories on making Warrensburg more than a pitstop on your way north this winter on page 18, six New York college towns to explore this season on page 30, and looking at the beauty of winter from a different perspective on page 28. Plus, be sure to read about five brides who made their 2022 weddings utterly their own on page 22, and don’t miss our feature on a cabin fever auction going on though February 3 on page 12. You may notice the back of the magazine looks a little different, too: We’ve brought back our Life & Leisure section that’s jam-packed with recipes, games, party pics and more that we hope you’ll enjoy. Stay warm and happy reading!

—The Editors

AND

NEW NOW

MERCH MANIA

Could Stewart’s Shops get more popular upstate? Short answer, yes. The chain’s brand-new online shop (with at-home delivery!) offers all-new limited-edition Stewart’s-branded items that have become gotta-have statement pieces practically overnight. The hot new swag debuted Cyber Monday and includes everything from branded Stewart’s beanies, socks and car stickers to a shimmery rhinestone tumbler and even cute ice-cream-themed onesies. Limitedrun items will be available throughout the year, in addition to gas station staples such as Stewart’s coffee and money/gas cards. Sorry, no ice cream in the mail just yet.

From glam Stewart’s Shops merch to a facelift for Albany’s ugliest building, here’s what’s happening in the Capital Region as we dive head first into 2023.

BY JEFF DINGLER

NEW NOW

ROCK ON

After releasing three albums over the course of the pandemic, rocker and veteran to the Capital Region music scene Christopher Peifer is planning a 2023 tour with a band to play music from all three projects. If you don’t (yet!) know his music, this snuggle season is the perfect time to press play on his most recent power-pop solo album of the three, Sacred & Profane, which was released October 30. Peifer lived in Albany for five years while attending SUNY Albany and has played in several Capital Region bands such as 500 Hats and, more recently, Blockhouses with Guy Lyons of The Figgs.

BUDDING BUSINESS

New Yorkers in favor of marijuana legalization are starting the new year off on the edges of their seats, with Capital Regionites especially left in limbo. During a Cannabis Control Board meeting in Albany December 21, the board made a highly anticipated announcement that recreational marijuana sales will finally begin—in some capacity—on December 29. The announcement comes almost two years after then-Governor Cuomo signed the Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act on March 21, 2021. The first legal retail sale will be made in New York City by the downstate nonprofit Housing Works. The market rollout is not simultaneous statewide; at press time there was no word yet as to when licensed cannabis sales will hit Albany or the greater Capital Region.

EYESORE NO MORE

It’s still feeling a lot like Christmas in New York’s capital, which is receiving a $9.75 million grant to rehabilitate the crumbling Central Warehouse. Announced December 20, the windfall is the largest grant awarded so far as part of the $102 million statewide RESTORE program for revitalizing, reconstructing or demolishing abandoned and/or condemned properties. The city-wide excitement is well deserved: The money will help turn one of Albany’s most persistent eyesores, which was built in 1927 as a massive cold-storage warehouse, into more than 100 apartments with 25,000 square feet for businesses, shopping and eating on the ground floor. Yes, please!

THERAPY SESSION

Talk about getting something off your chest. Saratoga Springs’ Fingerpaint Group, an amalgam of healthcare solutions companies, recently unveiled a social media campaign called Unf*ck Your Feelings. Launched in time for Men’s Health Month (or “Movember”), the campaign, along with social media influencers, continues to—during this high time for seasonal depression, loneliness and substance abuse issues—encourage young men to use various mental health resources. According to the CDC, only one in four men who experience anxiety or depression seeks counseling. Elyse Manosh, Senior Copywriter at Fingerpaint, wanted to change the stigmatism attached to therapy. “I’ve witnessed resistance to therapy in my guy friends,” she says. “Knowing that resistance extends farther than just my social circle, I wanted to squash the long-standing taboo. Stereotypes about therapy are improving, but they’re still around. Let’s change that.”

Urbane Legend

IT TAKES A VORACIOUS INFINITE LEARNER to stay on top of the beauty tech industry—the supply of new devices and treatments is seemingly endless.

Ashley Austin, owner and master technician of Latham’s Urbane Beauty Co. is one of those people. And that’s why she was the first in the Capital Region to discover and offer TriLift, a non-invasive face-lift alternative that’s also a fraction of the price.

“I’m big on educating myself,” Austin says. “This new device called a TriLift was just released last April. The results are mind-blowing. There’s no downtime, no bruising, no pain and no product used—just some mild discomfort and that’s it. The patient ends up looking phenomenal, and you don’t have to go in and cut.”

TriLift can prevent the “overdone” look that can result from a traditional face-lift. Its three-layered, non-surgical combination treatment uses muscle stimulation for the lifting and toning of the skin to achieve the improvement of skin color and texture.

“You’re restoring volume as well, which is what you do with injections,” Austin says. “The problem is that if you don’t do any foundational work [like you get with TriLift], it takes a ton more product to try to obtain that result. Ultimately, that’s why people look weird: There’s so much filler to try to lift, versus if you do this first. Usually on the face we do two to four syringes of filler, whereas if you do this first, you

might require just one, just to polish off or give just a tiny bit more contour. Injections are typically done every nine months, and it gets pricey.”

The $7,200 treatment (full face-lifts average almost three times this) includes five weekly sessions and a booster treatment at nine months. “And from there it’s just maintenance,” says Austin of the lifetime results. She recommends touchups once or twice a year, depending on the person.

“I’m patient-focused, not moneyfocused,” Austin says. “I’m for polishing natural beauty, not over-injecting. I’m very much into solving the root of the problem, which takes asking the patient what the problem really is and then guiding them. What they think they want could be different than what they actually need to get the result they want.”

Austin, who’s a registered nurse, left her job at a hospital to work in beauty, an interest of hers that was fostered by her growing up with six sisters. “I’m one of 10 kids,” Austin says. “There were seven girls with me being second, and I would get them ready for dances, cut their hair and do waxing. I’ve always loved the beauty world.”

Urbane Beauty launched five years ago to meet the need for more luxury med spas in the area (she’s on Troy/Schenectady Road right off the exit). Austin’s growing team—at press time four people strong and looking for a fifth—now offers a full menu of treatments that range from spray tanning and facials to Dysport [Botox] injections and dermaplaning. Major discounts and even free treatments come with the spa’s monthly or yearly VIP memberships.

As for these quiet winter months, Austin recommends laser treatments to get rid of sunspots, skin resurfacing, CO₂ laser treatments, hair removal and microblading.

“Winter is high tide for lasers; anything in the laser category should be done in the winter,” Austin says. “And you can do micro-blading all year long, but honestly for heal time and the way the process works, it’s ideal not to do it in the summer.”

For more silent auction items, flip to the saratoga living side and turn to page 20.

WITH THE WORLD WATCHING

THIS WINTER, THE PRESTIGIOUS WORLD UNIVERSITY GAMES WILL BE HOSTED BY THE USA FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 30 YEARS. THEIR LOCATION? WELL, LAKE PLACID, OF COURSE.

BY NATALIE MOORE

If you haven’t heard of the FISU World University Games, you’re not alone. “In the United States, the brand that we mostly recognize for collegiate sports is the NCAA,” says Jon Lundin, head of communications for the 2023 Lake Placid Games. “In Europe or in Asia, there isn’t an NCAA, so really the highest level of collegiate competition is the World University Games.” Not only is this largest winter multi-sport collegiate athletic event in the world coming to Upstate New York this January 12-22, but it’s the first time it’s been hosted in the US in 30 years; the summer 1993 games were in Buffalo, and Lake Placid hosted the last winter games to be held stateside in 1972.

Dating back to 1923, the World University Games draws thousands of athletes from around the globe to compete every other year (in recent years, the Games have been hosted by Naples, Italy and Krasnoyark, Russia). Lake Placid won the bid for the 2023 Games back in 2018 because of its history and experience hosting multi-sport events (most notably, the 1980 Olympic Games) and its existing infrastructure (Mt. Van Hoevenburg, the Olympic Jumping Complex, etc.). But that

didn’t mean that investments didn’t need to be made to get the region’s dated venues up to snuff for an international event in the 21st century.

“The state has spent hundreds of millions of dollars modernizing the venues that are going to be in use,” Lundin says. “You look at the Olympic Center—the famous Herb Brooks Arena? That ice rink was the international size rink, and now for the Games it’s going to be an NHL-size ice rink, and we’re able to adapt it depending on needs.” Other venues have been completely modernized in recent years, including Mt. Van Hoevenburg, which will host Nordic skiing events, and the Olympic Jumping Complex—those two giant structures you see peeking out of the trees in the distance long before you arrive in Lake Placid. At Gore and Whiteface, snowmaking investments ensure alpine and freestyle skiing events can happen, regardless of the weather Mother Nature throws our way. “The state really didn’t spare any expenses,” Lundin says. “These venues will be here for another 30, 40 years and just continue to be an international competition destination.”

If you’ve been to downtown Lake Placid recently, you’ll have noticed more renovations going on at the Olympic Speed

Skating Oval and throughout downtown itself. “We’ve been a bit of a dated village in terms of our infrastructure,” says Darcy Norfolk, director of communications for the Olympic Regional Development Authority (ORDA), which operates several of the venues that’ll host events this month. “The Games did help spur the momentum for those upgrades. There are so many things that people don’t even see that were done—water, sewage, lighting…the gamut. We’re all new, to be honest. We look really good.” Throughout the games athletes and spectators can check out all the improvements made to downtown, which will have a sort of festival atmosphere, with street performers and live music at night.

Why all the fuss? Well, the 11-day event will welcome some 2,500 athletes and coaches from 600 universities and 50 countries to the North Country, and Lundin says they are planning to sell out of 55,000 spectator tickets. “We have such a winter sports history, and to revive that in a much bigger way, bring it to the international stage—we’re going to be on ESPN,” Norfolk says. “These events are huge internationally, so [we’re going to get] a lot of global exposure. A lot of people know Lake Placid, but a lot of people don’t, and it really gives us the opportunity to showcase ourselves in a greater way, especially in sport, which we’re well known for.”

And while all the renovations and excitement surrounding the Games are enough to warrant a road trip north this month (tickets are available on lakeplacid2023.com), there’s another pretty big reason that the two-and-a-half-hour drive from Albany will be utterly worth it: the Games themselves. Lake Placid 2023 will feature 12 sports, including ice hockey, speed skating, ski jumping, snowboarding, freestyle skiing, figure skating, curling, Nordic skiing, biathlon and alpine skiing, all of which will be played at the highest

collegiate level; more than 1,000 World University Games athletes have gone on to compete in the winter Olympic Games.

“I’m an international sports junkie, so I eat this up,” Lundin says. “Ninety-nine percent of the world has never seen the sport of ski jumping live—they’ve only seen it on TV. And that is a really extreme sport. To watch somebody soar the length of a football field going 50 miles an hour off a tower? That takes some serious courage and guts, and it’s breathtaking to watch.” But the World University Games is about something even bigger than the world’s greatest college athletes traveling great distances to compete in the sports they love. “The quality of competition is going to be so, so high,” Lundin says, “and hopefully we’ll be able to inspire the next generation of athletes to compete in future Games.”

Welcome to Warrensburg

QUITE POSSIBLY THE EPITOME OF “SMALL-TOWN USA,” THIS ADIRONDACK COMMUNITY IS MUCH MORE THAN A PITSTOP ON YOUR WAY NORTH THIS WINTER.

BY NATALIE MOORE

When you’re en route this month to Gore Mountain, Potsdam, Canton or Clarkson to watch the best college athletes from around the globe compete in the World University Games, you’ll undoubtedly pass through Warrensburg. While you could certainly blink and miss the small town located right off exit 23 of the Northway, consider this your sign: Don’t.

For a town of only 4,500, Warrensburg has a heck of a lot going on. From Christmas in Warrensburg, a festive two-day celebration that took over the town this past December, and the World’s Largest Garage Sale, which boasts more than 500 vendors stretching the length of Main Street and beyond each fall, to a slew of festivals—apple, garlic, rhubarb—at the Riverfront Farmers’ Market, Warrensburg is becoming more than just a place you drive through to get somewhere else. “More and more people are stopping for longer and longer,” says Suzanne Tyler, executive director of the Warrensburg Chamber of Commerce. “Over the last year and a half, especially—after Covid—Warrensburg’s just growing leaps and bounds.” And it’s not just the annual festivals drawing crowds. “We’re the best-kept secret in the Adirondacks because we’re actually a vibrant, working community,” Tyler continues. “It’s not like it’s just open in the winter or the summer…We’re here 365.”

Indeed, unlike seasonal Adirondack towns Lake George and Old Forge, which die down in the off season, Warrensburg’s businesses stay open, supported by the small population that lives there yearround. There’s Sulla Terra, a pastry shop that recently moved to a larger location and has food that Tyler, a former Saratogian, says would rival anything in the Spa City. There’s Junk & Java, a newish home goods and consignment shop; Sun Canyon Kitchen, a breakfast and lunch spot that opened this past fall; and The

Bond 1786, a hidden-in-plain-sight boutique inn and restaurant that has been reimagined since it changed ownership in 2021. (CRL can confirm— it’s well worth the trip from the Capital Region!) And that’s not to mention Oscar’s Adirondack Smokehouse, a beloved meat-lover’s mecca that has long been praised by Upstate native and culinary A-lister Rachael Ray and the general public alike.

While winter is never slow in Warrensburg, what with all the skiers passing through, this season is shaping up to be especially busy, given the World University Games, the Ice Castles returning to neighboring town Lake George, and one more potential boon for the local economy: the reopening of Hickory Ski Center, a relic of a ski mountain dating back to the 1940s that has operated on and off throughout the 21st century. With aging lifts and no snowmaking, it’s been an uphill battle to reopen Hickory (hundreds of mid-century ski hills like it have long since been shut down permanently), but thanks to a grassroots effort aided by community leaders and a new nonprofit called the Hickory Legacy Foundation, this may be the year. “People are anxious to know when we’re going to open,” manager Sue Catana says. “My only response is when Mother Nature gives us her white blanket, when the insurance gods choose to give us a policy, and when the state blesses us with a certification.” At press time, Hickory was open for sledding and skinning/uphill skiing, and its 3 Sisters Café, located in the recently renovated lodge, was open Thursday-Sunday from 9am-2pm.

Sure, Warrensburg is charming, especially when covered in sparkling snow. But it sounds like there’s even more to come. “There’s always room for improvement, and the community is excited to tackle that,” Tyler says. “I’ve never lived in a place where people are so personally involved with their community’s growth. Warrensburg is that small town that everybody dreams about living in.”

The Bond 1786

Hickory Ski Center

Sun Canyon Kitchen

L cal Vibes

IF YOU ROCK OUT TO TAYLOR SWIFT, THE FOO FIGHTERS OR ALANIS MORRISSETTE BUT ARE PUZZLED BY THE LOCAL SCENE, NOW’S THE TIME TO MEET YOUR NEW FAVORITE BANDS.

BY JIM GILBERT

Do you find yourself listening to pop music on the radio during your daily commute, or do you look forward all year to the huge Live Nation concerts at SPAC? What if I told you that if you are a fan of good music, you’d be sure to find an artist you love right here in your own backyard? The Capital Region’s music scene is, pound for pound, the best in the country. (I realize this is a bold statement, but I wouldn’t make it if I didn’t feel like it was true.) I am continually blown away by the musicianship and songwriting that takes place within a one-hour radius of Nipper, the big white dog on Broadway in Albany—that’s the area that I like to refer to as Nippertown and whose music I cover on nippertown. com. So if you aren’t yet familiar with the local musicians—or are, but like me, are always looking to discover someone new—that grace our stages around the 518, here’s your chance. I’ve taken three of the hottest international rock and pop stars and given you a comparable local act to try. (Find them on Bandcamp, Facebook or through a simple Google search.) You can fist-bump me later.

If you like Taylor Swift… you’ll love Sydney Worthley. Sure, Sydney Worthley doesn’t have legions of fans known as Swifties, but that doesn’t mean she shouldn’t. Her powerful songwriting shares both her struggles and her newfound confidence—heck, she’s 21 now and has been an independent artist since she was 17. Like Taylor Swift’s repetoire, Worthley’s music is eclectic. She’s one part country, another part rock, with a splash of pop and soul. As for her vocal ability? Well, as local writer September Sinclair describes it, “Right when Worthley’s voice struck the microphone, it was easy to hear the effortless power and true passion behind her enchanting voice.” Trust me when I say to keep an eye out for Sydney Worthley, because this young woman is going places.

If you like the Foo Fighters… you’ll love Seize Atlantis. Seize Atlantis hails from the northern reaches of Nippertown in Glens Falls, and is a big part of our local scene. When this unassuming alternative rock band gets on stage, it’s natural to half-expect to hear the same three-chord progressions playing covers of grunge-era classics. I can assure you that what comes next will have you doing a double-take—and then texting your friends, “Have you heard of Seize Atlantis? These dudes rock!” At least that’s what I did the first time I saw them live. Strong originals powered by a rock-solid drum/bass duo that gets you tapping your feet and nodding your head and then… then… James Mullen opens his mouth and lets out a wail that would make Layne Staley, Chris Cornell and Scott Weiland sit up and take notice. So dig out your old flannels right now and go catch these guys in a show.

If you like Alanis Morissette… you’ll love Girl Blue. There’s good reason that Arielle O'Keefe, a.k.a. Girl Blue, has won solo artist and songwriter of the year honors. She delivers raw emotion with conviction and devotion. You can hear her on local radio, see her on some of the bigger stages in the region, or join her Patreon for exclusive offerings. The first time you hear Girl Blue sing, you will be in awe. I’d like to tell you that that changes over time, but I’ve seen her at least 50 times and I still get goosebumps every single time. Seriously. I compared her to Alanis Morissette because she is obviously a very talented songwriter, but she’s also capable of ripping your heart out one minute with a soft melody about love’s misfortunes, and then in a blink of an eye have you screaming at the top of your lungs about life’s inequities. I could have just as easily compared her to Joni Mitchell, Ani DiFranco or even Amy Winehouse. Yes, she’s that good.

IF YOU LIKE YOU’LL LOVE

Worthley

IF YOU LIKE YOU’LL LOVE

IF YOU LIKE YOU’LL LOVETT

Make It Yours

Sabrina and Sam Touhey

OLD DALEY ON CROOKED LAKE, AVERILL PARK PHOTOGRAPHY

UBY HITLIN PHOTOGRAPHY

INC.

pstate New York is quite a ways away from Hawaii, but that didn’t stop Sabrina and Sam Touhey from hosting their wedding on island time. “Sam and I love traveling,” Sabrina says. “It was always a plan to have a destination wedding, but we had so many people we wanted there that we decided to bring the travel to the guests.” So, naturally: an island/travel-themed wedding, complete with pink and yellow bridesmaid dresses, tropical florals, an airplane departure board seating chart, cigar tastings, a tikiinspired bride and groom table, and a cake shaped like a suitcase. When Sabrina and Sam learned that Old Daley on Crooked Lake’s lake house used to be decorated like the Copacabana, they knew it was the perfect place to celebrate their special day.

But while their wedding embraced the spirit of getting out of town, Sabrina and Sam are locals through and through, and no strangers to the Capital Region wedding scene. Sabrina is the lead singer in local wedding band Funk Evolution, and therefore knows how to keep a party moving. “If I’ve learned anything from singing at weddings,” she says, “it’s that the guests will remain on the dance floor as long as the bride and groom are there having fun, too.” Of course, given their musical background (Sam is a drummer), the grooving didn’t stop at the dance floor; both bride and groom joined The Accents on stage, performing Long Train by the Doobie Brothers, Livin’ on a Prayer by Bon Jovi and Runaway Baby by Bruno Mars with the band. “It was so surreal the morning of, thinking it was actually my turn to be the bride,” Sabrina says. “But it was a day I wish I could live all over again.”

Maddie and Kevin Symons

MAY 14 90 STATE EVENTS, ALBANY PHOTOGRAPHY

BY HANNAH LUX PHOTOGRAPHY

Acouple’s wedding is supposed to be a gathering of their closest family and friends, but for Maddie and Kevin, there were two family members who weren’t able to be in attendance. “We pretty much treat our cats like we would our own children,” Maddie says. “We knew from the start that we wanted to include them somehow in our special day.” But fur babies aren’t allowed at 90 State Events, so the couple had to get creative. Enter: The Elsa and The Enzo, two signature cocktails named for their pets and served in cups stuck with custom stickers depicting the cats. (Pet-inspired cocktails are somewhat of a trend; Feldmaier and O’Riley’s Roaring Twenties wedding [see below] featured The Gatsby and The Pearl, named for their two pups.) “The Elsa was a pink lemonade margarita,” Maddie says. “And the Enzo was Dr. Pepper cream soda with Jim Beam bourbon. They were a big hit.”

Brianna and Kevin O’Riley

OCTOBER 7 CANFIELD CASINO, SARATOGA SPRINGS PHOTOGRAPHY

BY HITLIN PHOTOGRAPHY INC.

If there’s one thing that makes a wedding memorable, it’s a couple’s dedication to a theme. And dedication is certainly not something bride Brianna O'Riley lacked leading up to her October 7 wedding at the Canfield Casino.

After attending an elegant “Gatsby” party in New York City, Brianna and nowhusband Kevin knew they wanted that vibe for their big day. And when they toured the Canfield Casino, they knew it was the perfect place to host such an event. “It was an actual casino back in the ’20s and it really still carries that beautiful, vintage look to it,” the bride says. “The bar room and parlor room are so cool, and I could really envision our guests mingling in there dressed like they were at one of Gatsby’s parties.” So, she told all of her guests to wear all black (Kevin, on the other hand, wore an all-white suit), and made each lady in attendance a feather headpiece that was waiting at her reception table. Brianna also made all the feather-and-pearl centerpieces at the tables as well as a golden flower wall.

When all the head-turning details were set, Brianna had one more bold move up her sleeve. “I cut my hair the morning of the wedding” she says, “because my dress had the most beautiful back. Well, it was actually completely open. The way my veil fell on it was so beautiful and created such drama, and I needed that to show.” When Kevin walked down the aisle, though, his soon-to-be bride’s hair was the last thing on his mind. “When we were up on the altar, I turned to him and said, ‘So, what do you think?’” Brianna says. “He said, ‘You look beautiful!’ I said, ‘No, what do you think about my hair?’ He was like, ‘Oh, wow!’ I laughed because I was like, ‘How do you not notice this?’ But that moment up on the altar actually made us both calm down and relax. It’s a moment I will always remember.”

UP IN THE AIR

Besides seeking interesting subjects, we photographers are always looking for great light, complementary backgrounds and interesting angles. While walking through Saratoga Spa State Park early this winter, I came upon this cluster of trees. After taking several regular old evergreen shots, I turned my camera up and found the shot! So next time you’re out and about with your camera, don’t forget to look up… —Francesco D’Amico |

Grade Winter Travel

YOU DON’T HAVE TO BE A STUDENT TO LOVE VISITING THESE COLLEGE TOWNS.

BY LISA ARCELLA

University towns are known for having vibrant, diverse communities, and because of their student populations, they’re also places where you can always find lots of sports games, great food and plenty of live, local music—a great base for a weekend away but by no means all that these gorgeous weekend hotspots have to offer.

And no one ever said you have to matriculate to participate! College towns can be great places to visit to stimulate the body, mind and soul during these quiet winter months—no matter the traveler’s age. In fact, some of the top places to visit around the state of New York have been made famous by their colleges and universities but are brimming with winter wonderlands, year-round cultural attractions and, of course, wintery outdoor activities for all levels.

ITHACA

Ithaca, home to Cornell University and Ithaca College, just may be the quintessential college town. Located in the center of the state near the southern tip of Cayuga Lake, it offers intimate charm and natural beauty (those gorges are gorgeous in the winter, too!) in nearby Buttermilk, Treman and Taughannock Falls state parks.

Yes, there are plenty of students taking part in its busy music and art scene, but

Ithaca’s Moosewood Restaurant

Ithaca’s Bike Bar

there’s more than enough room in Ithaca for everyone else to enjoy great restaurants and shopping, too. Locals love the Bike Bar, Viva Taqueria and the cool Moosewood Restaurant that’s located in a converted former high school.

Just outside of town, there are waterfalls (more than 100 within a 10-mile radius of town), great winter hiking and picturesque farmland. And don’t miss the I.M. Pei–designed Herbert F. Johnson Museum of

Art and the huge Cornell Botanic Gardens, most of which is open year-round.

BROCKPORT

The tiny village of Brockport is part of the town of New Sweden and home to SUNY Brockport.

The Erie Canal runs directly through Brockport, and the canal boardwalk is a popular spot to stroll and dine. Main Street is dotted with historic buildings

and charming shops—you could get lost for hours in Jill’s Antiques & Collectibles alone. Or go really retro and visit the Strand Theater, an old-time movie theater that still uses its original marquee. Corbett Park is lovely, and don’t overlook what’s happening at the university. There are always plenty of fun cultural activities available to students and the visiting public.

HYDE PARK

This Dutchess County hamlet might not be thought of as a typical college town, but Hyde Park is home to the Culinary Institute of America—one of the world’s most prestigious schools dedicated to gastronomical artistry.

Hyde Park’s most famous residents by far were Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt, who are buried at Springwood—the Roosevelt ancestral home that’s now a National Historic Site. The area is sprinkled with the former homes of Gilded Age nobility, starting with Frederick William Vanderbilt’s spring and autumn mansion (doesn’t everyone have a mansion to match the season?), a stunning Beaux-Arts masterpiece. The grounds are open year-round, and the home itself re-opens Sunday, January 15 after a short winter break.

There are also breathtaking views of the Hudson River on Hyde Park’s many hiking trails, and nearby Beacon has an array of fantastic restaurants (this is aspiring chef country, after all) and shops. For a unique experience with a furry new friend, try the Clover Brooke Farm’s llama and alpaca hikes, which offer limited spots year-round for guided walks through the bucolic, 25acre Hudson Valley farm.

SYRACUSE

This city is so much more than the 13 schools that compose Syracuse University and Le Moyne College.

Aside from great downtown restaurants and shopping, Syracuse is near Seneca Lake—the largest of the Finger Lakes— and home to perhaps the best wineries in the state. Beer lovers won’t be overlooked—Syracuse is home to a lot of craft breweries, too.

For live theater, check out the Syracuse

Hyde Park’s Clover Brooke Farm

Hyde Park’s craft beer scene

Stage and the Central New York Playhouse, and make sure to visit the Erie Canal Museum and the Milton J. Rubenstein Museum of Science & Technology and its cool planetarium.

NEW PALTZ

This pretty little town in Ulster County is the home of SUNY New Paltz, and its proximity to history and nature make it particularly appealing for non-collegiate weekenders,

too. Start at the Historic Huguenot Street district (by appointment only in winter), which includes a reconstructed 1717 French Church, the Huguenot community’s original burying ground, and a replica Esopus Munsee wigwam.

The Wallkill Valley Rail Trail is perfect for a winter nature walk, and the 8,000acre Mohonk Preserve (the largest private nature preserve in New York State) is open year-round—you won’t want to miss those

spectacular views of the Hudson Valley. While you’re there, check out the famous Mohonk Mountain House resort (day passes are available in advance), which is a bona fide winter wonderland this time of year— frozen lake, snow-covered forest and all. Guests can throw themselves into winter activities with the help of a well-equipped ski shop team.

After all of that exercise, relax with a glass of wine at the Robibero Family Vineyards, or grab a cider and pizza at Twin Star Orchards.

CORTLAND

This former mill town is now home to SUNY Cortland. It’s well known for its golf courses and the J.M. McDonald Sports complex, but if your idea of working out on vacation is lifting a knife and fork, don’t miss the Trinity Valley Dairy (and its petting zoo), and the excellent Homer Hops brewery, where there is often live music to accompany the craft brews.

Cinch Art Space is home to more than 50 local artists, making it the best onestop shopping experience in town. Venture nearby to check out the Corning Museum of Glass and ski at Greek Peak.

New Paltz’s Historic Huguenot Street District

Greek Peak just outside of Cortland

Life&Leisure

Calendar » Horoscope » Tarotscope » Crossword » Recipe

Events Calendar

» Twelve mid-winter happenings around the Capital Region. «

January 22

NEW YORK BRIDAL/ WEDDING EXPO

Brides-to-be dream about their wedding day and the perfect ceremony, but it can be difficult and overwhelming to know where to start. That’s where Albany’s Bridal and Wedding Expo comes in! From 1pm to 5pm on January 22, the Albany Capital Center will host a wide variety of wedding professionals who can help you in a variety of subjects. Need tents? Florists? Do you want to know the best place to get accessories or who should film or photograph your wedding? There are experts on all that and more at the expo. You can also enjoy a bridal fashion show, food tastings, and even cash prize giveaways. bridalshowsny.com

January 22

SARATOGA REPTILE SHOW

Are you a fan of the scalier, smaller creatures of our planet? If so, consider hitting up the Saratoga City Center, which will host the Saratoga Reptile show January 22 from 9am to 4pm. The event will have more than 40 reputable vendors and educators in Herpetoculture (the live keeping of reptiles and amphibians), offering everything from the teaching of how to care for an animal to the sale of them; if you’re looking to expand your collection, there will be hundreds of healthy, captive and ethically bred reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrates to choose from. saratogareptileshow.com

January 26-28

ALBANY WINE FESTIVAL

Sometimes we need an evening to relax, unwind, drink some wine and eat 5 starworthy food. The Albany Wine Festival gives you this opportunity, with three days of events including the Mayor’s Reception and Kickoff, the Grand Tastings and Slider Slam January 27, and the next day’s farewell

Grand Gala dinner. Some of the happenings over the three days will consist of “the battle of the bartenders,” VIP lounges, auctions and a chance to win one of five amazing travel experiences (with the purchase of a VIP ticket). Still on the fence? Keep in mind that this is all for a good cause. Since the pandemic started, Coivd has greatly impacted the arts, which is why 100 percent of the proceeds from the Grand Gala go to providing funding for the not-for-profit arts community in Albany. albanywinefest.com

February 4-26

LAKE GEORGE WINTER CARNIVAL

Winter can really drag on in Upstate New York—and by February most of us are looking for a reason to be outside having a good time. Enter: the Winter Carnival in Lake George, which will take place every weekend throughout February. The opening event will be held at Shepherds Park, where carnival enthusiasts will gather to kick off the month-long celebration. Next up is the chili judging contest, an outhouse race and fireworks. Every following weekend in the mornings there’ll be a human foosball

BY CLAIRE BURNET T

tournament, and each Sunday you can make your own ice-cream, plus there will be puzzles, scavenger hunts, snow hockey and puppet theater for kids and families. Some must-see events will be dog sled-races, a keg toss, a polar plunge and car/ATV/ motorcycle races.

lakegeorgewintercarnival.com

Saratoga Chowderfest

February 11

SARATOGA CHOWDERFEST

The highly anticipated 24th Saratoga Chowderfest will start at 11am and end at 4pm on Saturday, February 11. There are more than 80 restaurants participating this year, with each one competing to win

Albany Wine Festival

the best chowder title and bragging rights for the year! Participants include Cantina, Dizzy Chicken, Forno Bistro and many more restaurants all around Saratoga County. Fifty percent of all proceeds benefit Franklin Community Center. So grab a warm coat and make your way around Saratoga to sample four-ounce cups of delicious chowder—don’t forget to vote for your favorite on the official Chowderfest website! discoversaratoga.org/events/chowderfest

February 25

SARATOGA BEER SUMMIT

Beer, good food and live music—if that sounds like your idea of a good time, check out the Saratoga Beer Summit coming to the Saratoga City Center on February 25 from 12pm to 8pm. As an impressive lineup of bands play, try more than 125 craft beers, and don’t forget to hit up vendors with ciders, hard seltzers and food. There are general admission and VIP ticket options, with a $10 ticket available for designated drivers on the scene. saratogabeerweek.com

March 10

CATWALK FOR A CURE

The Belanger Nursing Program and Siena College Student Nurses Association are hosting a fabulous runway show to raise money and awareness for people affected by glioblastoma. Medical experts will discuss how this disease impacts the more than 10,000 people a year diagnosed with it, and student nurses will model looks from local stores and boutiques. The event starts at 7pm and ends at 9pm, with proceeds going to GLIO Leo, an organization dedicated to helping those with glioblastoma.

Catwalk for a Cure on Eventbrite

March 4

ADIRONDACK BREWERY BARREL FEST

Adirondack Brewery in Lake George is hosting its 11th annual Barrel Fest from 1pm to 4pm on March 4. Since the brewery tends to boast some high-ABV drinks, going to the event’s breakfast, Kegs and

Eggs, is strongly suggested. Then indulge in exclusively barrel-crafted beers, ciders, wines and more. Along with the drinks, there will be live music and snacks to enjoy at a giant bonfire with fireworks. The purchase of VIP and general admission tickets includes a souvenir tasting glass and three hours of sampling the aged-barrel beverages. barrelfestlg.com

March 9

BONSAI BAR AT THE PLANTER

This winter, The Planter Bar in Cohoes is one of several local bars hosting a Bonsai Bar, where you and your friends get to drink, plant tiny trees and learn the basic skills and fundamentals of Bonsai care. The teachers will help guide you through potting, pruning and designing your own Dwarf Jade tree while you sip on your favorite beverage. The best part? They guarantee that you can keep it alive after this session, so if it dies, they’ll help replace it. bonsaibar.com/ny-events

March 14 BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN AT MVP ARENA

March 11-12

ALBANY MONSTER JAM

The annual Albany Monster Jam will take your family fun from zero to 100 in record time, with its 12,000-pound monster trucks and death-defying tricks. At this event, you will witness world-class drivers jumping huge ditches, racing and more as they compete for the champion title. Globally loved trucks such as Grave Digger, Mighty Megalodon and El Toro Loco will take to the MVP Arena floor for freestyle events...And if they flip? A giant crane will come out to help right the giant beasts back on four wheels. Experience one of three ground-shaking, bleacher-trembling shows coming this March 11 and 12. monsterjam.com

Back from their 2017 hiatus, Bruce Springsteen and his E Street Band will perform in Albany at the MVP Arena at 7:30pm on March 14. Springsteen, who grew up in New Jersey, started his career in 1972 and skyrocketed to stardom; this is your chance to see the rock legend in action. The setlist includes classics such as “Born to Run,” “I’m on Fire” and “Glory Days.” Grab your tickets now before they run out! mvparena.com

March 14-26

‘HAMILTON’ AT PROCTORS

Last time Hamilton came to Proctors, tickets sold out in minutes, so this encore performance is your chance to catch one of Broadway’s biggest shows at long last. The New York Times hailed the musical, which teaches about an important time in American history through hip-hop and dance, as a “theatrical landmark that has transformed theater and the way we think about history.” proctors.org

Bruce Springsteen

Albany Monster Jam

Life&Leisure

Signs of the Times

BY CHANTAL MULLENS | ILLUSTRATIONS BY ROBERT RISKO

ARIES MARCH 21 - APRIL 19

What a time to be alive, Aries!

The beginning of 2023 is very auspicious for you as your career plans and financial standing take a bold and grounded shift to highlight your hard work and effort with muchdeserved rewards. It’s a great time to re-evaluate your social and networking circles; let go of whatever and whomever no longer fit the standards of your passionate and adventurous side. (If it feels like dead weight, it’s time to cut it loose.) You will be pleased at how quickly things turn around for you once you are energetically free to pursue people, things and places that please you.

Taurus, then the start of 2023 will bring a breath of reprieve as the pace of life slips into something more comfortable for you. This is the time to focus on your best-laid plans for the rest of the year. Focus on how you want to grow and expand beyond where you are now— this could mean pursuing new areas of study or diving deeper into current expressions of your experiences. The time to act will come soon enough. Now is the time to gather and master information in preparation for the next cycle of your journey. Sharing your goals and ideas will also set you up for success later.

of awareness when it comes to conscious ideas, but try turning that skill inward to navigate the thicker energies that surround you. Big ideas and new philosophies will soon ignite your drive and move things forward. As always, you will get to share your expertise with others—just take this time to integrate first.

LEO JULY 23 - AUGUST 22

TAURUS APRIL 20 - MAY 20

If things have felt a little too out of control for you lately, dear

GEMINI MAY 21 - JUNE 20

Rest and hibernation may be the only thing on your subconscious agenda right now, Gemini, and the best advice I can give is to not fight it. You may want to do all the things all the time, but even the sun must set to give way for quieter energies. This time is for you to pay attention to the subtleties of your thoughts and dreams. You are a master

CANCER JUNE 21 - JULY 22

Your relationships, both personal and professional, will ground you at this time, and this could feel like either ultimate security or restless suffocation. It will all depend on how you choose to experience it. Asking yourself deeper and more intimate questions about what you really want out of your connections and situations will help to bring clarity and understanding of what may need to come next for you. Remember, being flexible and open to the constant shifts and turns in life will take you to places you may have never considered but will end up loving the most.

Work, work, work. For the love of success and money, your social calendar and personal relationships may not be the primary focus for you right now. And that’s OK! You’re being shown what’s possible with dedication and commitment to your career, job or trade, and it’s propelling you forward and setting you up nicely for favorable outcomes. Some relationships may face challenges at this time or even run their course completely. What is meant to stay and last will, so don’t worry too much about it. The foundations you build and tend to now will stand the test of time.

VIRGO AUGUST 23 - SEPTEMBER 22

Slow and steady wins this race,

lovely Virgo. Taking your time to really map out and prioritize your goals alongside your desires will pay off handsomely later. You have been asked to show discipline and restraint for a while now and that isn’t changing just yet. Trust that your reward for a job well done is promised and almost ready to be revealed to you. Your personal relationships will also take a very intimate and romantic turn, and you may feel swept up in your own rom-com story. You are the main character and everyone around you is enjoying the vibe. Own it!

SCORPIO OCTOBER 23 - NOVEMBER 21

physical standing. Grounding deeper into your financial security is also a top priority, and making solid investment plans now is encouraged. Just make sure you are sharing your ideas with the right people and circles. You want positive energy feeding your goals; haters need not apply.

LIBRA SEPTEMBER 23 - OCTOBER 22

Money matters are the big mood for you as we start off the new year, Libra. There may be a shift in focus as your home life calls for you to get your affairs in order. Because you are ruled by Venus, the health of your environment will always be a top priority and catalyst for attracting more of that beauty and abundance energy into your life. Recommitting to a loved hobby or passion project now will have favorable results in more ways than one. Falling in love with your life—with all aspects, including the mundane—sets the stage for the harmonious, magical fairytale of your dreams coming true.

Planning a trip, either with family or to visit family, may take an unexpected (but not necessarily negative) turn, so getting a head start on the logistics may be a good idea. Staying open to change and allowing yourself to “go with the flow” will yield a much better time than steadfastly attaching yourself to controlling the situation(s). There is a strangeness to the energy of the beginning of the year, and you may feel wary as you move ahead, but you of all people should know that there is so much to be experienced and enjoyed in the weird. You are the master of alchemy so don’t be afraid to create the life you want with the scraps you find around you.

CAPRICORN DECEMBER 22 - JANUARY 19

There’s a reason we start each new year with the sun in your sign, Capricorn. You set the bar for leading the charge in goal-setting and success-based endeavors. Your inner child is taking center stage right now and pursuing passion projects and engaging in fun experiences, and deepening intimate connections with loved ones is at the forefront of your to do list. You may find yourself in unique and unexpected situations when it comes to financial foundations, but rolling with the punches will most certainly yield favorable results.

permission to proceed. You may find yourself swinging from one extreme of social battery and tolerance to the next in the coming months; understand that shifts and changes are inevitable and honoring your own cycles is the best way to move through them. Your dreams are heavy with cryptic messages of future plans. Figuring it all out right now may not be possible, but place the puzzle pieces where they go once it becomes clearer. Rest and charge up for the next wave of energy that is bound to come.

PISCES FEBRUARY 19 - MARCH 20

SAGITTARIUS NOVEMBER 22DECEMBER 21

The New Year’s resolution bug is biting, and you are scratching the itch. Starting the year off with a strong focus on health and wealth will set you up for success in the coming months, dear Sag. You’ll be motivated to create and stick with routines that fuel your needs to be in good

AQUARIUS JANUARY 20 - FEBRUARY 18

If all you want to do is curl up in a blanket and hibernate for a while, then you have full

Social gatherings and parties will have you in a festive mood in the coming months. You may also find yourself making travel plans with friends that feed your inner bougie nature. Romanticizing your life is the big mood for you, dear Pisces, so go ahead and fall in love with love. Just don’t take anything too seriously at this time. It’s all fun and games and should be understood as such. Move with magic and consistent frequency. A butterfly flits around constantly but always leaves the observer in awe of its beauty and grace.

Chantal Mullens is a full-time astrologer, tarot reader and life coach living in Germany with her two young children and two cats. She has many Capital Region clients; find her full list of services on her website: akashiccystalhealing.com

Life&Leisure

The Quiet Season

BY SANDY MENZER

After plowing through the chaotic holiday time, it’s normal to hope that a quieter few months lie ahead—and this winter, we get just that. The planet of Mercury, which rules communication, will be retrograde until January 18, slowing things down during the month of January. Plus, the full moon in Cancer on January 6 will prompt us to balance work and home. We may feel extra emotionally sensitive with a heightened intuition around this time. The year’s numerology, meanwhile, is exciting. The new year’s energy is a 7 (2+0+2+3), a symbol of eternal life, meaning this winter is a great time to plan our goals and desires.

To take a closer look at what to expect during this height of winter, I’ve pulled some tarot cards for the Capital Region community. What messages does this tarotscope tell us collectively?

Justice

A focus on legal documents, contracts, balance, fairness and the law.

Hermit

A time of reflection and receiving answers from Divine. A wise man or woman. A counselor or elder who can assist you with answers to questions and problems.

8 of Wands

Feeling life is on fast-forward and slowing it down to implement changes. Awaiting important communication and exciting news.

Moon

Our intuition is heightened! This is a time to listen to it. Strong maternal influence. Creative energy assisting us in order to improve our lives with new ideas. Feeling more emotional.

5 of Wands

Working through family and work challenges. Competition at work for you or in your personal life. Feeling conflicted within. Possible health challenges to overcome.

Hangman

Looking at life through a different lens. A

time of feeling stuck and possibly a sacrifice to make. Possible delays in travel.

Queen of Pentacles

A stable and practical woman may assist you with advice, whether it be in love, business or a financial decision that you will make.

7 of Swords

There may be gossip around you or fake people. You may be receiving an apology from someone as well. Be cautious with secrets and people around you that you cannot trust, as they may try to get away with something if you are not paying attention to the red flags. Addiction and mental health challenges around some.

Death

Separating from old ways of thinking. Some will be making changes in jobs and relationships, or even a relocation or move could be decided. A time to let go of what no longer serves us. Some of us are grieving the death of a loved one.

6 of Wands

Receiving recognition and success in your endeavors, whether it be personal, professional or even family healing in the works.

Page of Wands

Exciting news is on its way—possibly the birth of a child, a new job or something completely unexpected as a very nice surprise. Good news around a child.

Star

A special wish to be realized. Be prepared to know that you are continuously ascending to your highest vibration. You are at a peak of manifesting anything you ask for. BIG dreams can be realized with hope and faith. Some will be recognized for what they do in this world to make it a better place. Fame and fortune may occur.

Sandy Menzer has professionally practiced her intuitive abilities for 25 years. She teaches and provides personal and group spiritual direction messages and readings by appointment. For further information, she can be reached at sanshaun@yahoo.com

The Capital Region’s collective tarotscope promises an exciting journey forward into 2023.

BY NATALIE MOORE

Jim’s nickname in The Office

Anterior cruciate ligament locale

Life&Leisure

Dip In

Craving Tatu Tacos & Tequila’s famous dips at home?

Try your hand at Chef Kareem Nejame’s sikil p’aak (meaning “pumpkin seed tomato” in the Mayan language), a full expression of the Yucatán harvest and your next must-make snow day snack.

Yields eight servings

Ingredients:

1 lb pepitas, toasted

1 lb plum tomatoes, quartered and seeded

2 cloves garlic, peeled and crushed

2 habanero peppers, stemmed and seeded

¼ cup canola oil, plus 2 tbsp for sautée

½ cup naranja agria or bitter orange

(may be substituted with 2 parts lime juice,

1 part orange juice, 1 part grapefruit juice)

½ cup ice water

1 tsp Kosher salt

Directions:

• Heat 2 tbsp oil in a pan over medium heat. Add tomatoes, habanero peppers and garlic. Sautée until color develops— approximately 5 minutes.

• Combine toasted pepitas and salt in a food processer and pulse until finely ground.

• Add sautéed vegetables and bitter orange to processor with pepitas and pulse together until thoroughly combined.

• Continue to purée, slowly drizzling the oil into the mixture.

• If mixture is too thick, add 1 tbsp of ice water at a time until reaching the desired consistency.

• Continue to purée until a consistent, silky texture is achieved.

• Taste and adjust seasoning, as needed. Garnish with a drizzle of oil, diced onion and toasted pepitas.

• Serve with chips. CRL

Fall, Forever

LOCALLY OWNED BUSINESS

Fenimore Asset Management & FAM Funds

COBLESKILL

When and why did Fenimore Asset Management begin?

Thomas O. Putnam founded Fenimore Asset Management in 1974 to manage family money after the Putnams sold their successful textile business, Fenimore Fabrics. The family knew what it takes to run a successful business and based their investment philosophy on finding companies exhibiting those same quality characteristics with a focus on generating long-term value.

What’s one thing people may not realize about Fenimore? Fenimore is not simply an investments manager helping clients with portfolios. Our team of experts is actively researching companies, investing in businesses, and creating portfolios through our own in-house efforts.

Why should someone who’s not already a client stop by or call?

Stop by! When have you heard that from a nationally recognized investment management firm? We are right here, in your own backyard, eager to help you with your personal and business financial needs.

Party Pop Up

When and why did you open Party Pop Up for teepee sleepovers and tea party rentals?

We launched our business in November 2022 after seeing these type of parties all over the country and noticing a huge gap in the market here in the Capital Region. With my daughter’s love of sleepovers, my love of being extra, and wanting to own my own business, Party Pop Up was born.

What’s one thing you didn’t expect about owning your own business?

Going into this, I fully expected to promote Party Pop Up, but never thought I’d need to promote myself. I learned the face behind a business is important. A friendly smile and attitude is one thing, but relating to someone is another.

Why should someone who’s never heard of Party Pop Up reach out?

If you’re looking for a trendy party theme, some amazing memories and a huge smile, give us a call.

Christian Snyder, J.D., CFA®, President of Fenimore Asset Management

Jessica Brosch, owner of Party Pop Up

What are the most challenging and rewarding parts of owning a gift shop?

Finding balance between work and home can be a challenge because I love to be at work. That’s where the rewarding part comes in: My job is fun each and every day, and the relationships I have with my customers are truly the best part of it all.

Why should someone who’s never been to Cross Eyed Owl stop by?

Anyone who has never been here needs to come in because it’s a happy, relaxing place to be. Then, of course, there’s the fact that we’ve got so many great cards and gifts, too.

Patricia Varga, owner of The Cross Eyed Owl

60 Freeman’s Bridge Road, Scotia 518.372.5611; allseasonsequipinc.com

All Seasons Equipment, Inc. is a family-owned and -operated business located in Scotia that can provide you with the latest and best in outdoor power products to make your outdoor living more enjoyable. The staff are happy to help you find the perfect outdoor power equipment, service or parts you’ve been looking for, from brands including Ariens, Honda Power Equipment, Scag, STIHL and Toro.

California Closets

952 Troy Schenectady Road, Latham 518.240.8622; californiaclosets.com

California Closets creates custom storage solutions for any room in your house! In addition to closets of all shapes and sizes, its team designs home offices, mudrooms, pantries, garages, media centers, built-ins and more. Locally owned and operated, California Closets of Albany manufactures its custom-designed products right in the Capital City, making it truly a full-service company with local employees doing it all.

Claverack Pump Service

All Seasons Equipment Conklin Architecture

8960 NY-22, Hillsdale 518.828.6267; claverackpumpservice.com

3 Fyke Road, Catskill 518.943.4220; conklinarchitecture.com

Clean, healthy water isn’t a luxury; it’s essential to your health and home and an absolute necessity. That’s why Claverack Pump Service, LLC has been providing quality water solutions (water well drilling, water pumps, geothermal drilling, water well development, water filtration and more) to New York homes and businesses of all sizes since 1946. Don’t trust just any business to handle your water needs. Turn to Claverack Pump for the best possible service.

From its office in the foothills of the Hudson Valley region, Conklin Architecture designs truly one-off custom homes and commercial spaces of all styles throughout New York State, from New York City to the Adirondack region. The Conklin team takes pride in finding a harmonious balance of its clients’ needs and wants to design a project with a unique, well thought-through design.

GNH Lumber

898 New Loudon Road, Latham 518.313.1229; gnhlumber.com

GNH Lumber’s expert kitchen and bath team, led by the esteemed Jacqueline Newell, is ready to make your dream home vision a reality. Take advantage of Newell’s 20 years of rich experience helping clients visualize each layer of their kitchen and bath design, from floor plan to finish. The experts at GNH also specialize in windows & doors, home & garden and lumber & building. Visit the GNH Lumber showroom, or call today to schedule a free consultation.

Marcella’s Appliance Center

560 Broadway, Schenectady | 15 Park Avenue, Clifton Park 518.381.1957, 518.952.7700; marcellasappliance.com

Marcella’s Appliance Center is a family-owned appliance store with showrooms in Schenectady and Clifton Park offering the area’s best selection of appliances at the best prices, top-notch customer service, and a dedicated service and repair team. The team’s knowledge of the appliances they sell sets them apart from the competition. Visit the large showrooms for a wealth of ideas. With more than 30,000 square feet of inventory for more than 60 product lines, they have appliances for every budget.

Redbud Development Wolberg Lighting Design & Electrical Supply

2 Commerce Park Drive, Wilton 518.691.0428; redbuddevelopment.com

Redbud Development is a landscape construction company that specializes in the custom design and quality installation of residential improvement and development projects. With a creative and collaborative approach, Redbud helps clients imagine and build exterior environments that connect seamlessly with their interiors to reflect a homeowner’s personality and lifestyle. Call today to schedule your no-cost initial consultation.

Multiple Locations wolbergelectric.com

Are you looking to renovate this fall? Remember to include a lighting layout plan that integrates comfort, control and energy efficiency to take your renovation to the next level. Talk to the lighting experts at the Albany, Schenectady or Saratoga lighting showrooms for the best guidance in lighting terminology, types of lighting and choosing the right LED bulbs.

Dr. Andrew Frank

1816 Western Avenue, Albany 518.456.3551; albanysmiles.com

Dr. Andrew T. Frank maintains a very friendly and caring boutique dental practice that always provides the highest quality of dentistry—and is completely available for pre-wedding needs.

Although he continues to practice general dentistry, his passions have led him to more complex and rewarding cosmetic and reconstructive cases. Changing people’s lives through dentistry with a complete smile makeover “never gets old,” according to Dr. Frank, who has worked with many brides and grooms before their big day. “Today, we have the ability to accomplish so much more than we could in the past. We actually have the ability to provide a completely toothless individual with a ‘third set of teeth’ through the use of implant dentistry. It is so exciting!”

Danielle’s Bridal

4249 Route 50, Saratoga Springs  518.584.7067; facebook.com/daniellesbridalofsaratoga

The Appel Inn

590 State Route 146, Altamont 518.861.6557; appelinn.com

The family-run Danielle’s Bridal, located just outside of beautiful Saratoga Springs, has been helping brides find that perfect dress for more than 30 years. Consultants work with each bride to see exactly how she wants to appear on her wedding day. From deciding on a wedding dress and picking out the bridesmaid dresses to alterations, Danielle’s is there for you every step of the way. The boutique is open by appointment only—call today to book your initial consultation.

Nestled on 36 acres and featuring a flowing creek and vintage barns, The Appel Inn Gathering Space adjoins the historic, 250-year-old tavern built by Hendrick Appel in 1765. Offering the perfect atmosphere of graceful elegance and an outdoor ceremony space, the space accommodates small and large gatherings of up to 175 comfortably, and allows for various themes, from casual weddings to formal champagne events.

Enchanting Escapes

2261 Western Avenue, Guilderland  518.608.4644; enchantingescapes.net

Are you dreaming of offering your family and friends an amazing and memorable experience? A destination wedding may be the answer. And don’t forget your honeymoon!. Enchanting Escapes will serve as your stateside butler for both, helping you choose the best experience for your destination “I dos” and honeymoon, whether that’s being pampered at a Sandals Luxury Inclusive Resort in your private overwater bungalow, cruising the Mediterranean, or a unique adventure.

The Lodge on Echo Lake Lake George Chamber of Commerce

Lake George 518.668.5755; lakeeorgechamber.com

Celebrate one of the most cherished times in your life surrounded by your loved ones in one of the most beautiful areas in the world. For all four seasons, the Lake George Region is filled with romantic settings to host your wedding party. From venues and catering, to music and after-party celebrations, discover what the Lake George Region has to offer, and make your special day just as you’ve always dreamed it would be.

Old Daley

Old Daley Catering | 2 Northern Drive, Troy

Old Daley On Crooked Lake | 518.235.2656; olddaley.com

175 Hudson Street, Warrensburg 518.623.5599; thelodgeonecholake.com

Old Daley Hospitality Group has a number of great wedding locations and catering options to choose from. Voted “Best Wedding Venue,” Old Daley on Crooked Lake, located just 30 minutes from downtown Albany in the foothill of the Berkshire Mountains, is a one-of-a-kind, craftsman-inspired lake house with multiple rooms, hardwood floors throughout and the ability to host inside and lakeside events. In nearby Schenectady, Daley’s on Yates is a mid-century modern, award-winning restaurant that hosts “out of the box” Sunday weddings.

The Lodge on Echo Lake’s intimate size and pristine Adirondack location offers you, your family and your guests a warm, rustic and elegant setting for your wedding celebration or special event. Nestled in the Southern Adirondack Mountains just 10 minutes from Lake George, The Lodge is famous for its service excellence, delicious cuisine and creatively planned wedding receptions and private functions.

Wolferts Roost

120 Van Rensselaer Boulevard, Albany 518.449.3223; wolfertsroost.com

Located just minutes from historic downtown Albany, Wolferts Roost Country Club has more than 100 years of wedding experience and boasts breathtaking views of the Berkshire Mountains, a combination sure to make your special day one to remember. The ballroom, which features a 15-foot vaulted ceiling, accommodates up to 350 guests and includes a private bar, dance floor, bridal suite and an outdoor covered terrace for a cocktail hour overlooking Wolferts’ award-winning golf course— the picture-perfect backdrop to your wedding day.

before you go...

FREE THE LOBSTERS

BY JOHN GRAY

Aheavy, wet snow fell outside of Marsha’s second-floor window, clinging to the branches of a blue spruce pine like a child holding tightly to his parent’s hand. No matter the setting on her thermostat or how unmercifully cold the temperature outside, Marsha always cracked the kitchen window to offset the heat that rose from the apartment below.

Sipping a cup of cocoa in a ceramic mug she purchased at a gift shop in Wildwood when she was only 13, Marsha looked at her goldfish, Denny Crane, and said, “Well Denny, happy birthday to me.”

She was 40 today and this one stung. It was that milestone birthday you assume you’ll have everything figured out by: career, partner, kids. Instead, it was just Marsha, the pine trees and the fish she named after one of her favorite TV characters. She realized Denny’s fishbowl was precariously close to the window, prompting her to say, “Careful not to jump unless you have a parachute.”

Marsha opened her laptop and pulled up the dating website she joined only the night before to see if anyone liked her profile. There were a dozen suitors, all no doubt with more weight and less hair than their photos promised, flirting and prodding,

hoping to see if Marsha would take the bait and answer back. Delete, delete, delete. Then she saw Clayton Mayfield.

His photograph revealed a man in his late forties, wearing SpongeBob SquarePants pajamas, unlaced work boots and one of those leather bombers hats with the flaps that Cousin Eddie wore in those Vacation movies. Yet that wasn’t the strange part. The man was covered from nose to toes with thick black motor oil. Marsha assumed it was a joke, but curiosity got the better, so her right pointer finger clicked the mouse, revealing a short paragraph that would change her life.

My name is Clayton and as you can see, I’m a mess. I tried to save money by replacing the oil on my vintage mustang by myself but forgot to put the plug back in before filling it with oil. At least you know I’m not afraid to try new things or ashamed when I fail. I have $83,514 dollars in student debt, the result of my turning my sociology degree into a job at a domestic violence center where I help women on the worst

day of their lives. I’ve only been in trouble once in my life—when I was 7 and tried to free the lobsters from the big tank at the supermarket. My best friend is a cat named Alan Shore, named after a character from my favorite TV show. I detest mushrooms and lying but love putting on a t-shirt that just came out of the dryer and the smell of cookies in the oven on a lazy Sunday afternoon. You’ll never find a scale in my house; I only care about the size of your heart. I’d love to make a new friend, but if it turns out to be more... that’s okay, too. Marsha gently placed her mug down and typed a simple reply: Broke and a mess with a dash of humility and honesty is everything I’ve been looking for. If you love the TV show

Boston Legal, your Alan Shore needs to meet my Denny Crane. Since my Denny is a fish, not a cat, Alan may not invite him to dinner. LOL. I am open, however, to the promise of a new friendship and whatever comes next. Perhaps we can hold hands at the market and free the lobsters together.

Valentine’s Day

GIFT GUIDE

SUGAR PLUM CHOCOLATE HEART PIZZA – WITH MALLET sugar-plum.com

Our Chocolate Heart Pizza is a unique treat that you are simply bound to fall head over heels for! Topped with a festive assortment of chocolate candies and finished with a white chocolate drizzle. Every one of our Chocolate Heart Pizzas comes with a wooden mallet, so you can feel free break this heart into bitesized bits. Even better yet? Our Chocolate Heart Pizza includes complimentary 2-day shipping, so you’ll be able to hammer this lil’ heartbreaker in practically no time at all!

LOVE YOU HAND RESCUE

waltonwoodfarm.com

Give the gift of sweet, warm vanilla hugs and kisses to the ones you love! This mellow, rich hand rescue soothes your spirit and your hands. Made from a moisturizing blend of Shea Butter, Cocoa Butter and Green Tea.

DATE NIGHT SOLID COLOGNE waltonwoodfarm.com

He will smell so good he won’t make it out of the driveway! Besides, who doesn’t love the occasional night in for date night? Featuring a warm whiskey scent, this moisturizing solid cologne is made from a blend of essential oils, including Hemp Seed, Grape Seed and Avocado. It is also cruelty-free, alcoholfree, gluten-free, and vegetarian-friendly. The generously sized 2.5 oz tin is carry-on approved, and it won’t leak or break.

MANTA SILK MASK mantasleep.com

Your Valentine will get the most rejuvenating sleep ever with this premium mask that combines skin-protecting silk with the deep-sleep-boosting power of true 100% blackout. The only anti-aging mask optimized for deep sleep. Made with lustrous and durable 22 momme silk that prevents wrinkles and refreshes skin cells. Provides the anti-aging benefits of deep sleep and silk at the same time.

KAHLMI BABY MASSAGER kahlmi.com

Top Valentine’s Day gift for new parents. Kahlmi is the world’s first baby massager that soothes infants and strengthens the baby/parent bond). It is a must-have for new parents who want to keep colic at bay, improve baby’s sleep, and strengthen their bond with their bundles of joy. Featuring an ergonomic, award winning design that conforms to baby’s smaller anatomical scale, it is recommended by pediatricians and wellness practitioners.